Western Pacific Railroad Museum

July 20, 2010 By

Reviewer’s family at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum.

700 Western Pacific Way
Portola, CA

This pit stop submitted by fellow mom and Pit Stops for Kids reader Vanessa. Visit Vanessa’s photography site, Second Spring.

If you should find yourself somewhere between Reno, NV and Chico, CA along Hwy 70 you will pass through the little town of Portola, CA. There you will find this little gem of a pit stop, The Western Pacific Railroad Museum. One of the best things about this museum is that they not only allow you to climb, crawl and explore the trains but encourage it…a fantastic way to expend a little pent up energy if you ask me! There are volunteer docents on hand should you have questions about any of the equipment. This part is not only a hit with the kids but the parents as well (I could have spent HOURS snapping the shutter on my camera around the rail yard had we not needed to stop for nap time!). The train ride is fun for the little kids- and you can sit either inside one of the caboose cars or outside. Our little guy jumped at the sound of the whistle but was thrilled to get to be on the train.

If you have a train lover in the family they rent out a caboose for parties and events (I am thinking birthday party for my little guy) and during the holiday season they deck out the caboose train in twinkle lights and get a visit from Santa. With a little planning ahead (since reservations are needed) you can even drive one of the diesel engines. Check the calendar on the website for more events.

Exploring the trains!

Date last visited: May 30th, 2010

Distance off the interstate: Just over half a mile off CA Hwy 70. (Approximately 50 minutes from Reno or 1.5 hours from Tahoe.)

Admission Prices: Museum is free (though donations are appreciated) and $5 to ride the train that run on the weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day (they also do special events like the Santa Train during the holiday season- see the Calendar page for more details).

Hours of Operation: 10am to 5pm

Food Services: Cold drinks and snacks available in the gift shop (and the Portola Frosty is a favorite stop for those hot summer days- just off Hwy 70 heading west from Gulling St.).

Bathrooms: Just down the hall from the gift shop in the museum.

Website: http://www.wplives.org/

Directions: From Hwy 70, take Gulling Street into the town of Portola, turn right on Commercial, a slight left onto Pacific and then a right onto Western Pacific Way. There are signs to lead you along the way.

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 23): Embassy Suites Sacramento

July 19, 2010 By

View of Tower Bridge outside our Embassy Suites room.

We spent our last night on the road at the Embassy Suites Sacramento Riverfront Promenade (100 Capitol Mall, Sacramento CA).

Embassy Suites is a favorite hotel chain of mine due to their high quality amenities, top-notch service, and the extras they provide, such as made-to-order complementary breakfasts and manager’s reception’ hours with snacks and cool drinks on-hand in the late afternoon. The Riverfront Promenade did not disappoint.

Located ideally next to historic Old Town and bordering the lovely river walk along the Sacramento River, we had impressive views from our room of the Tower Bridge and Old Town. Our suite was convenient with two full rooms (one with a comfortable pull-out bed/couch, desk, and TV unit, one with a king-sized bed and TV unit) and one spacious bathroom (with tub).

The Embassy Suites had a nice indoor pool and hot tub which we were all too glad to use after a hot summer day exploring Old Town. Other amenities include an exercise room, valet parking ($25 a day), and a mini-fridge, coffee maker, and microwave in-room. There’s also a Guest Activities desk on-site to help you with any vacation plans.

Embassy Suites indoor pool.

In addition to the complementary breakfast, there are two restaurants on-site (with many more in walking distance). The Tower Bridge Bistro offers fine dining in their dining room or via room service, and the MarketPlace Cafe offers quicker service with sandwiches, burgers, etc.

Note: The Embassy Suites Sacramento does not allow for (or have) roll-away beds, so if you’re a family of five like us, plan accordingly. We made one child a bed on the floor utilizing the unused couch cushions, and it worked fine!

Date last visited: July 15, 2010.

Distance off the interstate: Right off I-5.

Room Rates: Best rate started at $229 at time of publishing. All rooms are suites, with two rooms and full bathroom. Railroad Museum packages are available.

Directions: From I-5, take the J St exit toward Downtown, then turn right at 3rd St. Take the 1st right onto Capitol Mall, then make a U-turn into property.

As I mention during any review opportunity, the Embassy Suites Sacramento hosted our stay at no cost. While we greatly appreciate their hospitality, this compensation came with no guarantee of a positive review.

I want to thank everyone who followed along with our 22 Day Road Trip! We had a wonderful time, and I sincerely hope that our reviews will be of assistance as you, my readers, plan your next adventures!
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A Pit Stop a Day (Day 22): Old Sacramento Historical District

July 18, 2010 By

California State Railroad Museum

We spent our last day, Day 22, driving from Laguna Beach to Sacramento CA on I-5, visiting Sacramento’s historic Old Town and staying our final night on the road at the Embassy Suites Sacramento Riverfront Promenade.

Sacramento’s Old Town is a state historic park covering 28 acres along the Sacramento River directly opposite from downtown. Wooden sidewalks, false storefronts, and cobblestones create the illusion that visitors have returned to the famed California Gold Rush days (although cheap souvenir t-shirt shops and the like seem to work equally hard to distract from this).

By far the best gem of Old Town is the California State Railroad Museum (111 I Street), located at the entrance to Old Town and commanding a distinctive presence in the district. This impressive museum is larger than life (especially for young kids entranced by trains): visitor’s can walk through historic train compartments (the sleeper car even sways and jolts under your feet as though in motion), learn about the building of the railroad, and watch a great film depicting the early railroad days. Upstairs, Thomas the Tank Engine lovers will find extensive train tables at their disposal.

Our favorite shop in Old Sacramento.

After exploring the museum, we walked through Old Town, which consists primarily of shops, restaurants, and a few other smaller museums (a Wells Fargo stagecoach museum and a military museum). The Sacramento River is one block from the museum, as is the historic Delta King riverboat (hotel) and a monument to the Pony Express.

Kids (and adults alike) will love stopping to browse the offerings at Evangeline’s, a joke shop boutique. Nearly all the joke items and gag gifts are suitable for children (apart from a well-closed off ‘adult’ section in the back) and you could spend hours laughing at all the items for sale (at least we could!). My kids finally settled on ‘handerwear’ (underwear for hands), clacking teeth, and joke mustaches.

If you’re in Old Town after dinner and have saved room for dessert, Sacramento Sweets Co has the best waffle cone sundaes this side of the Mississippi. Their Capitol Sundae feeds two (but you won’t want to share). Be sure to get it topped with their homemade caramel or hot fudge sauce!

Seasonal Tip: If your Sacramento vacation brings you to the city in late August, be sure to attend Old Sacramento’s Gold Rush Days. The streets are covered with dirt and allow only pedestrian or horse-drawn traffic, adding to the authentic old west feel. Living history exhibits and re-enactments are in play all weekend!

Note: Two other great Sacramento attractions include Sutter’s Fort (where California gold was first discovered) and FairyTale Town (located near the Sacramento Zoo).

Date last visited: July 15, 2010.

Distance off the interstate: Right off I-5.

Directions: From I-5, follow signs to Old Sacramento Historic District. Turn off I-5 at J Street, turn left onto 3rd, then turn onto I Street to the California State Railroad Museum.

Up Next: Or last, that is: we review our stay at the Embassy Suites Sacramento Riverfront Promenade!

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 20): Stops for Kids in Laguna Beach, CA

July 16, 2010 By
Pacific Coast Highway (California State Route ...

Image via Wikipedia

On Day 20, we drove from Zion National Park to Laguna Beach, CA, a route pretty devoid of pit stops! We were very glad to arrive in such a kid-friendly mecca of attractions, restaurants, and beaches!

Having grown up in the area (and returning to visit relatives every year since), we are quite familiar with Laguna Beach and its surrounding areas, and we’re convinced it’s one of the best beach towns in America. Below are our favorite picks for families:

Best Public Beach:

Main Beach is lively and fun (and perfect for a post-breakfast or dinner stroll), but to escape the summer crowds, we recommend heading south to Aliso Creek Public Beach. Aliso Creek is on the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) just outside of Laguna in South Laguna. (The Montage Resort borders it on the north-end, a wonderful hotel which caters to children more than you’d think; if it’s in your budget, this is a wonderful hotel option). At Aliso, you’ll find a parking lot (eliminating long walks to the beach while carting all your stuff), bathrooms and showers, a playground right on the beach, and over a mile of sand. (The creek that feeds into it is inviting to kids, but there’s no wading allowed.)

Best Park:

Again, Main Beach boasts a fun park along the boardwalk, but for pure kid fun, we prefer Bluebird Park on the Laguna hillside. From Hwy 1, take Cress Street up the hill (directions). At Bluebird, you’ll find extensive play structures (with new, space-age-esque designs) for the toddler set as well as older kids, fun slides built into rocky hillsides, a rocket, and scooter/bike paths. (Sometimes gets busy with the kids’ club located adjacent to the park.)

Nate enjoys some downtime in Laguna Beach!

Best Local Event:

If you’re in Laguna during the summer months, be sure to check out the Sawdust Festival! Located right on Laguna Canyon Road (Hwy 133), this art festival features the booths of local artists (from pottery to fine art to jewelry) and gives kids plenty to look at! Be sure to check out the glass blowing demonstration and stop by the kids’ art booth to let your children try their hand at the project of the day! (Admission: $7.75 for adults, $3.25 for kids 6-12, free for under age 6.)

Best kid-Friendly Restaurant:

Ruby’s Diner, located at 30622 Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) is fast, fun, and kid-centric. Designed like an old-time diner, kids will love the shakes and malts, burgers, and onion rings (as well as their own chef hats). On nice days, ask for outdoor seating: they’ll take you up to the roof!

Best Toy Store:

Main Beach Toys is a great place to stop while browsing art galleries and shops in Laguna (so kids can actually touch some stuff!). Be sure to stop here before hitting the beach, too: they carry lots of sand and water toys.

Date last visited: July, 2010.

Distance off the interstate: Laguna Beach is about 30 minutes from I-5.

Directions: From the 405 or I-5, take Hwy 73 exit to Beach Cities to Hwy 1 into Laguna.

Up Next: We take the kids (and nephew Homer) to Pretend City in Irvine, CA!

Need to catch up? Find all ‘A Pit Stop a Day’ posts by searching ‘a pit stop a day’ in the search box!

Enterprise Park and Kids’ Kingdom

June 19, 2010 By

Kids' Kingdom's Fastasy Fountain area.

4000 Victor Ave
Redding CA

We drive through Redding, CA often, and I’m ever on the hunt for a great park. On our most recent pass down I-5, we found one worthy of being declared a pit stop! Kids’ Kingdom is a section of the larger Enterprise Park that spans several city blocks. Whereas the park at large seems to cater to the sports and leisure crowd (lots of soccer fields and picnic areas), Kids’ Kingdom is tucked away under shade trees and could be easily overlooked.

At this smaller section of the park, you’ll find a fun splash/water feature (Fantasy Fountain) with a concrete rocky mountain, sprinkler archways, and a padded floor surface, an expansive wooden fort play structure, and lots of mature trees to climb. We arrived just after the water feature had been turned off for the night, but the kids still had fun climbing the ‘mountain’ and playing in the fort. Combined with a picnic dinner brought from the nearby Subway restaurant, Kids Kingdom made for a great pit stop!

Note: Enterprise Park is not in what appears to be the best part of town. We felt quite safe during daylight hours, but use your own judgment when visiting.

Wooden fortress at Kids Kingdom.

Distance off the interstate: Five minutes.

Hours: Sunrise until sunset. The water feature is on daily, but only until 6 pm on weekends in summer (in other words, not late enough!)

Bathrooms: Standard park bathrooms are located on the far side of the water feature. Warning: the day we visited, the bathrooms were in terrible condition. (This was in the later evening, after a full day’s use, but was still not acceptable.) Hopefully it was the exception, not the rule.

Calvin at the top of the Fantasy Fountain mountain.

Directions: From I-5, take the Cypress exit. Head east on Cypress for one mile, then 1.5 miles south on Victor. Park is on the right. Take the main entrance, then follow the Kids’ Kingdom sign past the open grassy spaces down a short hill. Parking on the right.

I apologize for the poor quality photos; I took them right at sunset, and the lighting was not conducive to photo taking!


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Things To Do
Redding

Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve

May 24, 2010 By

15101 Lancaster Road
Lancaster, CA

Think you can’t find rolling hills and wildflower habitats right outside of Los Angeles? Think again! If your southern California family vacation takes you down I-5 (especially from February to May, when the wildflower blooms are most vibrant), the detour to the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, part of the California State Park system, is worth the drive!

From the California State Park website: “Each spring, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve comes alive with the seasonal surprises of the Mojave Desert Grassland habitat…Eight miles of trails through the gentle rolling hills, including a paved section for wheelchair access, make the park a wonderful place to hike and explore any season. Benches located along the trails make good places to sit quietly and watch for wildlife, such as singing meadow larks, lizards zipping across the trail, gopher snakes and rattlesnakes. If you’re lucky, you may spot a coyote or bobcat.”

The park is open year-round, but you’ll want to visit in the spring to see the wildflowers (fall is also a pleasant time to visit). An interpretive center is also on-site, offering a short video, wildlife and plant displays and gift shop (only open during the wildflower season).

Date last visited: Reviewer visited in April 2010.

Distance off the interstate: 22 miles off I-5

Hours and Admission Prices: Open sunrise to sunset. $8 per vehicle.

Food Services: None. There are picnic tables located new the interpretive center which look out over the valley to the San Gabriel Mountains.

Bathrooms: Located on-site.

Website: Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve (Phone: (661) 724-1180)

Directions: From I-5, take Exit 207 onto CA-138 E toward Lancaster/Palmdale. Drive 22 miles, then turn right at 170th St W. Turn left at W Ave F-8/Lancaster Rd, then continue to follow Lancaster Rd for two miles. Turn left at 150th St W, then take a slight left to stay on 150th St W to the entrance to the State of California Poppy Reserve.

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Whale Watching in Crescent City, CA

May 12, 2010 By

Photo courtesy of Aquarium of Pacific

1001 Front Street
Crescent City, CA

Crescent City, CA has long been a favorite location for whale watching year-round, but the best time to get a glimpse of a gentle giant or two is in May! If you find yourself traveling along scenic Highway 101 this spring, it’s well worth a pit stop on your family vacation!

Check in at the Cultural Center (1001 Front Street) first in order to see if any programs or events are being offered at the time of your visit. On May 23rd, from 11:30 am to 3 pm, a whale event is planned, organized by Coastal Commissioner Sara Wan and hosted by volunteers. (Thank you to Pit Stops for Kids reader Paul for this info!). If you don’t visit at the time of a planned event, the best locations to spot gray whales on your own are:

Crescent Beach Overlook
Enderts Beach
Battery Point Lighthouse
Point St. George

Klamath Overlook (located approximately 15 miles south of Crescent City off Highway 101 past the end of Requa Road), also offers Redwoods National Park ranger talks on gray whales every Wednesday from 2-4 pm and every Saturday from 10 am-2 pm. Bring binoculars!

Photo courtesy of Friends of Battery Point Lighthouse

Gray whales are best seen from an elevated spot close to the shore, so the locations with overlooks are your best bet! If you’d rather watch for whales from the deck of a boat, Tidewind Sportfishing in Brookings (800-799-0337) offers the chance for an up-close encounter! But if it’s not your lucky day, stop by the Marine Mammal Rescue Center instead (at the end of the park by the Cultural Center). If the sun is out, Beach Front Park also features a great playground! (Read about more family attractions in Crescent City.)

Date last visited: May 2010.

Distance off the interstate: Crescent City is directly on Highway 101 just past the California border.

Hours and Admission Prices: Most overlooks and beaches are free; some have car fees on state park land. Hours are generally sunrise to sunset.

Bathrooms: Located in Cultural Center when open.

Food Services: Picnics in the park or on beaches are your best bet! The town of Crescent City has plenty of grocery or fast food options, as well as seafood fare.

Phone: (707)464-7483

Directions: From Hwy 101 (Redwood Highway), take Front Street to Beach Front Park.

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Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park

May 7, 2010 By

Village at Indian Grinding Rock, photo courtesy of Tripping with Kids

14881 Pine Grove-Volcano Road
Pine Grove, CA

Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park makes for an excellent family road trip pit stop while you’re exploring California’s Gold Country. Located in the Sierra Nevada foothills eight miles east of Jackson, the park offers not only a great outcropping of marbleized limestone with some 1,185 mortar holes, but the Chaw’se Regional Indian Museum, which features a variety of exhibits and an outstanding collection of Sierra Nevada Indian artifacts. After visiting the museum, head over to the Miwok village complete with a ceremonial roundhouse that has been reconstructed in the middle of the small valley.

Reviewer Lora of Tripping with Kids comments on the excitement of exploring the village: “I watched the kids take off running to investigate some of the (other) teepees. Across from the hun’ge (roundhouse) was a large field, used even today as a playing field during living history events. Two trails are available to lead you around the woods, one is a half-mile and one a mile long. At the head of the trails, you can pick up a brochure that identifies particular local plants and what they were used for by the indigenous people.”

Date last visited: April 2010.

Distance off the interstate: 1 hour 15 minutes from I-5, 20 minutes from Hwy 49.

Hours and Admission Prices: Park hours are sunrise to sunset. Museum hours: Thursdays, Fridays and Mondays, 11 am to 2:30 pm. Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am to 3:30 pm. Admission: $8/car for day use.

Bathrooms: Located on premises.

Food Services: None. Picnic areas are available, or the town of Jackson offers several diners and a deli.

Directions: The park is northeast of Stockton in the lower foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains (or about 1 hour from Sacramento). Take State Highway 88 east through Jackson to the town of Pine Grove. Take a left turn on the Pine-Grove-Volcano Road, and about a mile and a half later you will enter the Park. The SECOND turnoff is the main entrance (the first is to the small campground).

Cave Campground California

April 1, 2010 By

Creek running through Cave Campground

Junct. of Hwy 89 and Hwy 44
Hat Creek, CA

Part of the Lassen National Forest, Cave Campground near Hat Creek makes for a nice pit stop along Hwy 89, especially if you only have time for a bathroom break and maybe a picnic lunch. (If you have more time at your disposal, consider hiking to the falls at nearby McArthur Burney State Park.)

The campground, open with full services April through October, was empty of overnighters when we stopped in March. The larger restroom facilities at the front of the campground were locked, but pit toilets were available at the end of the loop (a few hundred yards away). With no fee for day use, Cave Campground was a great spot to picnic, with easy access to the highway and a stream (rushing in springtime) with a footpath bridge the kids enjoyed exploring. We just pulled into an empty campsite and used the picnic table! (During the busier summer months, day use visitors can use the picnic tables near the front of the campground.)

Date last visited: March 2010

Distance off the interstate: Directly off Hwy 89.

Hours and Admission Prices: No day use admission fee. Overnight fee from April to October is $11 per night.

Bathrooms: See above.

Food Services: None. Closest convenient food is Susanville (another 1.5 hours south).

Website: None.

Directions: Directly off of Hwy 89 just before the junction of Hwy 44 (driving south).

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Elwell Lakes Lodge review, CA

March 1, 2010 By

Hands’ down, Elwell Lakes Lodge and the surrounding Sierra Nevada region of Northern California is one of our favorite places on earth. As such, I’m afraid I’ll have a hard time being impartial in this review! Having grown up in the area and visited numerous times from childhood to adulthood, I cannot recommend it highly enough for an adventurous family vacation well off the beaten path.

Elwell Lakes Lodge review:

One of many family cabins at Elwell lakes Lodge.

The lodge, nestled high in the Sierras 25 minutes from the small resort town of Graeagle, CA, is located over an hour northwest of Reno, NV, and almost two hours north of Tahoe, and is comprised of approximately a dozen rustic guest cabins, seveal tent cabins, a recreation hall well-stocked with books and games, and a main lodge. Cabins are comfortable with furniture, linens for the beds, kitchens, and bathrooms. Most, if not all, have a front porch and a BBQ.

Best of all is Elwell Lakes Lodge’s location. Situated just past Lakes Basin Campground, it is literally a gateway to the numerous lakes that comprise the Lakes Basin Recreation Area. Directly from your front door is a well-maintained network of hiking trails leading to some of the most beautiful scenery in the Northwest. The fishing, swimming, and exploring can’t be beat. If you so desire, you could easily stay a week and not get back into your car once.

Nate and Cal, playing along the shore of Long Lake.

If you do choose to take a drive, our picks are to the wonderful mining town of Johnsville and Plumas Eureka State Park where your kids can see a stamp mill still standing, or (in the opposite direction) to Dowieville and the excellent swimming along the Yuba River. Nearby Salmon Lake and Sand Pond offer great swimming and fishing as well, and excellent golf is awaiting in Graeagle.

Most days, we prefer to make pancakes for breakfast, explore the lodge, and hike or swim (kids love the stockpile of Legos in the main lodge and the creek running alongside the furthest ring of cabins). They spent one memorable (to them) afternoon catching frogs. Be sure to bring a book or two, and plan to sit awhile on the main lodge deck overlooking the mountains.

Date last visited: Last weekly stay, July 2004. Last visit, July 2009.

Distance off the interstate: Approximately 35 minutes from Hwy 89.

Rates: Rates vary by cabin, ranging from under $600 to over $1000 weekly. (These rates include housekeeping and use of all lodge facilities and row boats on Long Lake). If you’re looking for a place with nightly rates, Gold Lake Lodge has similar style cabins, is nearby, and has a restaurant on-site. We’ve stayed there as well, and love both lodges.

Food Services: At the time of this posting, Elwell Lakes Lodge does not provide meals. The owners do host a fun pot-luck dinner once weekly in the large dining building, and every cabin comes equipped with a kitchen and stocked with pots, pans, dishware, and silverware. Otherwise, our dining recommendations are The Sardine Lake Lodge, just a few miles further up Gold Lake Highway, or for kid-friendly pizza and pasta, Gumba’s in Blairsden.

Website: http://www.elwelllakeslodge.com/

Nate looks for minnows in the shallow water of Sand Pond on a summer evening.

Contact Information: Phone: 530-836-2347 Mailing address: P.O. Box 68 Blairsden, CA 96103

Directions: From the town of Graeagle, turn onto Gold Lake Highway. After driving seven miles, turn right into the Lakes Basin Campground. Follow the signs to Elwell Lodge (stay left).